BioBreakthroughs

Hosted by Slice of Healthcare LLC

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Aug 2025

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About the show

Welcome to BioBreakthroughs, the podcast that delves deep into the world of biotech and pharmaceuticals to bring you the latest and most exciting advancements in the field. Join us as we explore groundbreaking discoveries, cutting-edge research, and game-changing innovations that are shaping the future of healthcare. Produced by Slice of Healthcare.

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49 recent

August 19, 2025Episode 5020 min

#50 - Frank Bedu-Addo, President and CEO at PDS Biotechnology Corporation

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Frank Bedu-Addo , President and CEO at PDS Biotechnology Corporation. What you'll get out of this episode: PDS Biotechnology targets the key limitations of CAR T and cancer vaccine therapies using lipid nanoparticle-based immunotherapy. Their lead candidate, PDS0101, demonstrated over 2x improvement in survival for HPV-positive head and neck cancer. The platform technology shows consistent efficacy across multiple independent Phase 2 trials. Late-stage clinical programs focus on HPV16+ head and neck cancer, with additional trials for colorectal, prostate, and MUC1+ cancers. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-bedu-addo-4797947/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pds-biotechnology-corporation/ Website https://www.pdsbiotech.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

May 27, 2025Episode 4916 min

#49 - Michael Demurjian, Founder & CEO at Aspargo Laboratories

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Michael Demurjian, Founder & CEO at Aspargo Laboratories. What you'll get out of this episode: Aspargo tackles inefficiencies in pill-based drug delivery through innovative oral suspensions. The company’s patented technology improves absorption via buccal and GI routes. First commercial product, HisQ (oral spray sildenafil), delivers rapid ED treatment in just 10 minutes—even on a full stomach. Future products include sprays for weight loss and hair loss, launching via a telehealth platform. Upcoming smart dispenser connects with physicians and caregivers for enhanced adherence and monitoring. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-demurjian-02868113/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspargo-laboratories-inc/ Website https://aspargolabs.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

April 15, 2025Episode 4814 min

#48 - Michael Oleksiw, CEO at Pleio

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Michael Oleksiw , CEO at Pleio. What you'll get out of this episode: Human + AI Synergy : Pleio combines emotionally aware AI with peer-to-patient support to boost medication adherence. Overcoming Emotional Barriers : Emotions like fear, loneliness, and stigma are major challenges after diagnosis. Real-World Impact : Pleio's approach improved adherence rates by up to 28% in GLP-1 medication trials. Ethical AI in Healthcare : Patient data is de-identified and overseen by a medical board to ensure ethical use. Laser Focus on Loneliness : Pleio’s next frontier is tackling loneliness as a primary emotional barrier in healthcare. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeloleksiw/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pleio-inc/ Website http://www.pleio.com Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

February 25, 2025Episode 4715 min

#47 - Bill Peters, CEO at On Target Laboratories

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Bill Peters , CEO at On Target Laboratories . What you'll get out of this episode: Innovative Imaging for Surgery – On Target Laboratories enables surgeons to see cancer at the cellular level using near-infrared imaging. Cytalux for Lung & Ovarian Cancer – Their FDA-approved drug, Cytalux, helps identify tumors in real-time, improving surgical outcomes. Surgeon-Driven Development – Continuous feedback from surgeons drives research, refining the technology for broader applications. Future of Cancer Surgery – With ongoing clinical trials, On Target Laboratories aims to expand its imaging technology to new indications. Industry Engagement – The company actively participates in key medical conferences, connecting with experts to advance cancer care. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-peters-749a332a/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-target-laboratories-inc/ Website http://www.ontargetlabs.com Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

October 30, 2024Episode 4621 min

#46 - Frank Watanabe, President & CEO at Arcutis Biotherapeutics

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Frank Watanabe, President & CEO at Arcutis Biotherapeutics. What you'll get out of this episode: Company Focus : Arcutis Biotherapeutics, under Frank Watanabe, is dedicated to treating inflammatory skin conditions, with three FDA-approved products and a fourth pending. Significant Milestones : This year, Arcutis launched two new products and partnered with a primary care company to expand its reach. Patient-Centric Approach : Arcutis prioritizes patient needs by involving dermatology practitioners and patient insights directly in decision-making. Technological Perspective : While acknowledging AI's potential in drug discovery, Arcutis is focused on tangible, current advancements without prematurely implementing AI. Expanding Accessibility : Arcutis is actively working to extend its treatments to Medicare and Medicaid markets to support a broader patient demographic. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-watanabe-419711/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/arcutis-inc/ Website https://www.arcutis.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

October 16, 2024Episode 4523 min

#45 - Aaron Mackey, SVP of AI/Data Science at Lokavant & Jonathan Crowther, Head of Predictive Analytics at Pfizer

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guests: Aaron Mackey, SVP of AI/Data Science at Lokavant & Jonathan Crowther, Head of Predictive Analytics at Pfizer. What you'll get out of this episode: Causal AI Explained : Aaron Mackey from Lokavant and Jonathan Crowther from Pfizer discuss the capabilities of causal AI in differentiating cause and effect in clinical trials. Comparison to Generative AI : The episode breaks down the distinctions between generative AI and causal AI, highlighting the advantages of causal approaches in clinical operations. Impact on Clinical Trial Feasibility : The experts explain how causal AI optimizes trial feasibility assessments, leading to more efficient and effective clinical processes. Forecasting Clinical Trials with AI : Insight into how causal AI improves data-driven decision-making and addresses the limitations of traditional trial forecasts. To learn more about our guests and their companies: Aaron's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronmackey/ Jonathan's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/crowtherjonathan/ Lokavant LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lokavant/ Pfizer LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pfizer/ Lokavant Website https://www.lokavant.com/en-us/ Pfizer Website https://www.pfizer.com/ Our sponsor for this episode is: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

August 21, 2024Episode 4419 min

#44 - Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO at SK Pharmteco

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO at SK Pharmteco. What you'll get out of this episode: Joerg Ahlgrimm discusses his journey in the pharmaceutical industry and his role at SK Pharmteco. The strategic integration of companies under SK Pharmteco to enhance global CDMO capabilities. The importance of a patient-centric approach in driving company success and innovation. Challenges and strategies for ensuring operational efficiency and overcoming funding difficulties in biotech. Ahlgrimm’s advice for emerging leaders on career growth and maintaining a patient-first focus. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerg-ahlgrimm-315a925/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skpharmteco/ Website https://www.skpharmteco.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

August 7, 2024Episode 4314 min

#43 - Elliott Green, Co-Founder & CEO at Dandelion Health

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Elliott Green, Co-Founder & CEO at Dandelion Health. What you'll get out of this episode: Elliot Green's transition from Oscar Health to founding Dandelion Health. Dandelion Health's innovative approach to real-world data and clinical AI. The importance of longitudinal data in advancing precision medicine. The potential of AI to accelerate drug development and improve healthcare outcomes. Upcoming events where Dandelion Health will share their advancements. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-green-98433b2/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-health-ai/ Website https://dandelionhealth.ai/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

July 24, 2024Episode 4226 min

#42 - Nicole K. Paulk, CEO & Founder at Siren Biotechnology

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Nicole K. Paulk, CEO & Founder at Siren Biotechnology. What you'll get out of this episode: Nicole Paulk's early inspiration in gene therapy during her PhD at OHSU. The transition from academia to entrepreneurship amid COVID-19. Siren Biotechnology's innovative approach with AAV immunogene therapy. The challenges and successes in securing funding and navigating regulatory landscapes. The exciting transition of Siren Biotechnology from preclinical to clinical trials. To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolepaulk/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/siren-biotechnology-inc/ Website https://sirenbiotechnology.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

June 12, 2024Episode 418 min

#41 - Sam Cooper, Co-Founder & CTO at Phenomic

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Sam Cooper, Co-Founder & CTO at Phenomic. What you'll get out of this episode: Sam Cooper shares his journey from Imperial College London to founding Phenomic. Phenomic's innovative approach combines AI with biological research. The company focuses on developing drugs targeting the tumor stroma. Phenomic's partnership with TileDB and Boehringer Ingelheim. Advice for budding biotech entrepreneurs from Sam Cooper. To Learn More About Our Guests and their Companies: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-cooper-537814134/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/phenomic/ Website https://phenomic.ai/ Our sponsor for this episode are: Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/ BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/